Baseball base and fastener therefor

ABSTRACT

A baseball base and fastener operatively associated with one another comprising respectively, mutually cooperable rigid interlocking elements loosely associated with one another for detachably securing the base and fastener to one another. The fastener includes a self-threading projection extending generally transversely of the base for detachably connecting threadedly the fastener to an external source such as a baseball field. The aforementioned interlocking elements are generally constituted by a plurality of limbs formed as part of the fastener which may be loosely seated in respective slots provided in the base.

United States Patent [1 1 fiolomb July 3,1973

[ BASEBALL BASE AND FASTENER THEREFOR [75] Inventor: David L. Golomb, Port Washington,

[73] Assignee: Everlast World Boxing Headquarters Corp., Bronx, NY.

[22] Filed: Mar. 25, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 128,024

Primary Examiner-Richard C. Pinkham Assistant Examiner-Theatrice Brown Attorney-Friedman & Goodman [5 7] ABSTRACT A baseball base and fastener operatively associated with one another comprising respectively, mutually cooperable rigid interlocking elements loosely associated with one another for detachably securing the base and fastener to one another. The fastener includes a selfthreading projection extending generally transversely of the base for detachably connecting threadedly the fastener to an external source such as a baseball field. The aforementioned interlocking elements are generally constituted by a plurality of limbs formed as part of the fastener which may be loosely seated in respective slots provided in the base.

15 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures I I 26 1 7 I PAIENTEUJUL am: 3.743.289

SIEH 1 0f 2 DA V11) L. GOLOM H INVENTOR Y FWMQ (LAW ATTORNEY S BASEBALL BASE AND FASTENER THEREFOR BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to the game of baseball, and more particularly to means for securing baseball bases to the baseball field in a generally diamond shaped orientation.

Many attempts have been made heretofore to secure the baseball bases to the field or ground, but because of the relative association between the base itself and the means for fastening the base to the ground in each of the conventional fastening modes, the base and fastener therefore must be removed from or inserted into the ground together with one another which is clearly cumbersome and troublesome since, in fact, the baseball base and the fastener therefor are not readilyseparable or detachable from one another. Even in those particular base and fastening arrangements which are detachable from one another, there exists the difficulty of readily detaching the base from the fastener since the particular type of elements used for securing the base to the fastener are not readily accessible and therefore only by removing the entire fastener from the field are there accessible the securing elements for detaching the base from the fastener. In the latter case, a series or a plurality of belts are utilized for securing the base at its underside to the fastener and therefore, the belt buckles are hidden and inaccessible between the underside of the fastener and field.

As is well understood by those skilled in the art, and those familiar with the game of baseball, the baseball bases after the game has been completed, must be moved so that they are not damaged by the environment between the periods of nonuse thereof. Since, in fact, these bases must be frequently removed from or inserted into the field, it is clearly troublesome and cumbersome to constantly remove both the baseball base and the fastener therefor from the field.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a baseball base and fastener which are detachably associated with one another so as to permit removal of the base from the field, yet leave the fastener in tact or in position relative to the field or ground.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a baseball base and fastener therefor which are operatively associated with one another such that they are mutually self-centering or self-aligning.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a baseball base and fastener therefor which include mutually cooperable self-interlocking means which permit selective detachment from one another.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a baseball base and fastener therefor in which there are provided mutually cooperable selfinterlocking elements which do not interfere with the configuration or outer contour of the base.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a fastener for a baseball base which has a selfthreading extent for detachable association with the field.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a fastener for a baseball base which includes means for resisting removal of the fastener from the field.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a baseball base and fastener therefor which are loosely yet securely connectable to one another.

These objects are achieved by providing a baseball base and fastener having respectively, mutually cooperable generally rigid self-interlocking elements loosely associated with one another for detachably securing the base and fastener to one another. The fastener includes a self-threading projection extending generally traversely of the base for detachably connecting threadedly the fastener to an external source such as a baseball field. The aforementioned self-interlocking elements are generally constituted by a plurality of limbs formed as part of the fastener which may be loosely seated in respective slots provided in the base.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS With the above and additional objects and advantages in view as will hereinafter appear, this invention comprises the devices, combinations, and arrangements of parts hereinafter described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings of a preferred embodiment in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a generally perspective view of the baseball base and fastener therefor according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a generally perspective view of. the baseball base and fastener therefor according to the present invention and the connectable association in phantom of the base and fastener relative to one another;

FIG. 3 illustrates an enlarged elevational view partly in cross-section of the baseball base and fastener therefor as mounted in the field relative to one another;

FIG. 4 illustrates the underside of the base of FIG. 2 and the connective association thereof with that of the fastener;

FIG. 5 illustrates the top plan view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention of the baseball base and fastener therefor;

FIG. 6 illustrates a generally perspective view of the upper portion of the fastener according to the embodiment of FIG. 5 of the present invention; and

FIG. 7 illustrates a generally plan view of the fastener and baseball base, the latter shown in phantom, according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring now to the drawings, the present invention comprises a base 10 and fastener 11 therefor. The base 10 and fastener 11 are detachably associated with one another as will be discussed further below. The base 10 includes a soft cushion 12 of elastom'eric or other suitable resilient material. The soft cushion 12, as illustrated in FIG. 3, is mounted by conventional means upon the base 10 on the upper face thereof. The fastener 11 includes a self-threading screwlike connecting portion 13 of hellical extent which is adapted to threadedly cooperate with an external source 14 such as the ground of the baseball field. The fastener 11 furthermore includes a central neck portion 15 terminating in a generally tri-pod orientation of rigid limbs 16-18.

The base 10 is provided with a generally circular opening 19 and two elongate slotted openings 20 and 21 respectively. The free end portion 22 of the limb 16 is adapted to extend generally transversely of the base 10 and is generally of circular cross-section to seat in the opening 19 provided in the base 10. The end portions 23 and 24 of the limbs 17 and 18 respectively are generally parallel to one another and are adapted to overlie the base when seated in the elongate slotted openings 20 and 21 respectively to thereby resist elevation of the base 10 at the latter openings 20 and 21. The end portions 23 and 24 of the limbs 17 and 18 respectively have an elongate extent which corresponds substantially to that of the elongate extent of the slotted openings 20 and 21 so that the latter end portions 23 and 24 can be seated or projected through the openings 20 and 21 respectively without difficulty.

As is illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, there is provided a pivotally displaceable finger 25 having one end portion 26 which is loosely journaled on the limb 16. The opposite or free end 27 of the pivotally displaceable finger 25 is constituted as a terminal gripping portion, the nature of which will be clarified below. The free end 27 of the displaceable finger is inclined and partially twisted relative to the remainder of the finger 25 at the portion 28 illustrated clearly in FIGS. 4, 6 and 7.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, the base 10 may be provided with a spring loaded plunger 29 as is illustrated in FIG. 5, the spring loaded plunger 29 being shiftably disposed in a plunger channel 30 and acted upon by the spring 31. The spring loaded plunger 29 has a tapered free end for cooperating with a notch 32 provided in the free end portion 22 of the limb 16 as illustrated in FIG. 6. In this manner, the spring biasing means or plunger 29 prevents the base 10 from being inadvertently elevated relative to the free end portion 22 of the limb 16.

In operation, the present invention may be employed as follows:

The end portions 23 and 24 of the limbs 17 and 18 respectively are first inserted through their associated slotted openings 20 and 21, the latter which are provided in the base 10. The base 10 is then shifted toward the end portions 23 and 24 such that the peripheral portions of the slots 20 and 21 most proximate the slot 19 contact respectively the limbs 17 and 18. This shifting of the base 10 toward the end portions 23 and 24 of the limbs 17 and 18 respectively, causes the opening 19 to align with the free end portion 22 of the limb 16. Upon the aforementioned alignment the free end portion 22 may be inserted through the generally circular opening 19 which is of substantially the same diameter as that of the cross-section of the end portion 22. The aforementioned seated alignment of the base 10 on the fastener 11 is clearly illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 7 respectively. Itis clear, however, that the soft cushion 12 does not at all hinder the connective association of the base 10 with the fastener 11 as there may be readily provided, as those skilled in the art appreciate, preformed depressions in the cushion 12 at the specific positions corresponding to the openings 19-21.

With the base 10 and fastener 11 so connected to one another, the screwlike connecting portion of the fastener 11 may be threaded into the external source 14 or the ground constituting the baseball field. When the central neck portion 15 of the fastener 11 approaches the external source 14, the terminal gripping portion 27 of the pivotally displaceable finger 25 also approaches the external source 14 and as the fastener 11 is further threadedly embedded into the external source 14, the terminal gripping portion 27 of the finger 25 begins to gouge a generally circular groove upon the surface of the external source 14, the depth of the groove being the equivalent to the extent of the downwardly depending terminal gripping portion 27 of the finger 25. As is illustrated in FIG. 3, the fastener 11 is threadedly embedded in the external source 14 until the underside of the base 10 contacts the upper surface of the external source 14.

Once the underside of the base 10 contacts the surface of the external source 14, the base 10 and thus the fastener 11 are together turned only partially in a counter direction, corresponding to that for removing the fastener 11 from the external source 14, and this action causes the terminal gripping portion 27 of the finger 25 to deepen its penetration into the external source 14. The terminal gripping portion 27 of the finger 25 deepens its penetration into the external source 14 since the partially twisted extent thereof, generally denoted at reference character 28, acts as a screw and the direction of the twist is such that as the base 10 and fastener 11 are turned so as to be removed from the external source 14, the direction of twist of the terminal gripping portion 27 causes the terminal gripping portion 27 to deepen its penetration into the external source 14 and thereby resist the removal of the base 10 and fastener 11 from the external source 14.

The tendency to deepen the penetration of the terminal gripping portion 27 into the external source 14 serves two functions, one of which is of course to resist removal of the fastener 11 from the external source and the other, which relates to the orientation of the bases relative to one another on the baseball field, is that of maintaining the alignment of the bases relative to one another properly once each base 10 has been turned slightly so as to deepen the penetration of the terminal gripping portion 27.

It is equally clear, however, that upon a continued forced turning of the base 10 after the terminal gripping portion 27 has embedded itself in the external source 14, the nature of the hellical extent of the screwlike connecting portion 13 of the fastener 11 overpowers the resisting tendency of the terminal gripping portion 27 and, therefore, the fastener 11 may be easily removed from the external source 14 selectively.

It is noteworthy that the base 10 may be easily removed from the fastener 11 although the fastener 11 is left in tact in its seated position in the external source 14. In this respect, the base 10 may be lifted relative to the free end portion 22 of the limb 16 to free the limb 16 from the opening 19. Upon thus being partially freed, the base 10 can be shifted so that the end portions 23 and 24 of the limbs 17 and 18 respectively, engage the peripheral edge of the openings 20 and 21 respectively most remote from the opening 19 and thus, the end portions 23 and 24 may be freed from the openings 20 and 21. Upon being freed, the base 10 may be easily lifted from the fastener l 1 and stored away as may be necessary. Thus, there is left in tact the fasteners 11 for securing the bases 10 to the external source 14 and the bases 10 may be eventually replaced or repositioned on the fasteners 11 easily as discussed above.

In the embodiment of FIG. 5, the spring loaded plunger 29 which cooperates with the notch 32 as illustrated in FIG. 5, merely resists the elevation of the base 10 at the opening 19 therein and will slide along the upper portion of the notch 32, which upper portion is inclined as shown in FIG. 6 and acts as a caming surface. Therefore, the plunger 29 does not have to be manually released from the notch 32, but will itself ride out of the notch 32 as forceful pressure is exerted upon the base when lifting the base 10 relative to the free end portion 22 of the limb 16.

It is noteworthy also to point out that the relationship of the limbs 22-24 relative to the base 10 may be altered somewhat in that the respective end portions thereof may be reorientated relative to one another. In this respect, the free end portion 22 of the limb 16 may be inclined for overlying the base 10 and of course the slot 19 associated with the free end portion 22 must be then slotted rather than rounded in configuration. This of course necessitates the fact that the end portions 23 and 24 of the limbs 17 and 18 respectively be extended to seat transversely through the openings 20 and 21 and thus, the openings 20 and 21 respectively would natu rally be rounded for accommodating the transverse extent of the limbs 23 and 24.

Similarly also, the base 10 may be formed without any openings whatsoever and the limbs 22-24 would then be formed of greater lateral extent for embracing two opposite edges of the base 10 such that the end portions 23 and 24 overlie one edge of the base 10 and the end portion 22 merely engages the opposite edge of the base 10. These of course are other possible variations and further variations may be clearly derived therefrom without departing from the spirit of the present invention as those skilled in the art readily appreciate.

What is claimed is:

1. A combination comprising a base and fastener operatively associated with one another, said base and fastener respectively including mutually cooperable' generally rigid self-interlocking means loosely associated with one another for detachably securing said base to said fastener, said fastener including connecting means operatively associated with an external source for detachably connecting said fastener to the external source, said fastener being provided with removal resisting means for resisting removal of said fastener from the external source, said self-interlocking means including a plurality of spaced limbs extending from said fastener and at least one opening in said base, at least one of said limbs terminating in an end portion for overlying a portion of said base to resist elevation of said base relative to said fastener at said base portion, at least another of said limbs terminating in a free-end portion for extending transversely of said base through said base opening to resist lateral shifting of said base and to permit elevation of said base relative to said fastener at said base opening, and spring-biasing means mounted on said base for resiliently engaging said freeend portion of said at least another of said limbs to resist elevation of said base at said base opening.

2. The combination as claimed in claim 1, wherein said limbs are in generally tri-pod orientation relative to one another and said base includes three openings for accommodating the tri-pod orientation of limbs.

3. The combination as claimed in claim 2, wherein at least one of said three openings is of elongate slotted extent for association with said overlying end portion of said at least one of said limbs.

4. The combination as claimed in claim 1, wherein said connecting means includes a self-threading extent for threaded insertion into or removal from the external source.

5. The combination as claimed in claim 4, wherein said removal resisting means includes a pivotally displaceable finger on one of said limbs for engaging the external source upon partial threaded insertion of the said self-threading extent into the external source.

6. The combination as claimed in claim 1, wherein said free-end portion is provided with a notch for receiving said spring-biasing means.

7. The combination as claimed in claim 1, wherein said base includes a soft cushion connected thereto for exposure relative to the external source.

8. A combination comprising a base and fastener operatively associated with one another, said base and fastener respectively including mutually cooperable generally rigid self-interlocking means loosely associated with one another for detachably securing said base to said fastener, said fastener including connecting means operatively associated with an external source for detachably connecting said fastener to the external source, said fastener being provided with removal resisting means for resisting removal of said fastener from the external source, said self-interlocking means including a plurality of spaced limbs extending from said fastener and at least one opening in said base, at least one of said limbs terminating in an end portion for overlying a portion of said base to resist elevation of said base relative to said fastener at said base portion, at least another of said limbs terminating in a free-end portion for extending transversely of said base through said base opening to resist lateral shifting of said base, said removal resisting means including a pivotally displaceable finger disposed on one of said limbs for engaging the external source upon partial insertion of said connecting means into the external source.

9. The combination as claimed in claim 8, wherein said pivotally displaceable finger includes a gripping terminal portion inclined relative to a remainder of said finger for gouging the surface of a external source.

10. The combination as claimed in claim 9, wherein said connecting means includes a self-threading extent for threaded insertion into or removal from the external source.

11. The combination as claimed in claim 10, wherein said gripping terminal portion is partially twisted relative to the remainder of said finger in a direction such that upon turning and attempted removal of the selfthreading extent from the external source said gripping terminal portion is urged more deeply into the external source.

12. The combination as claimed in claim 11, wherein said finger is pivotally displaceable in a plane extending generally transversely of said base, and said gripping terminal portion is inclined in a direction away from said base.

13. The combination as claimed in claim 8, wherein said base includes a soft cushion connected thereto for exposure relative to the external source.

14. The combination as claimed in claim 8, wherein said limbs are in generally tri-pod orientation relative to one another and said base includes three openings for accommodating said tri-pod orientation of limbs.

15. The combination as claimed in claim 8, including means mounted on said base for engaging said free-end portion of said at least another of said limbs to resist elevation of said base at said base opening.

4 4 III 4 

1. A combination comprising a base and fastener operatively associated with one another, said base and fastener respectively including mutually cooperable generally rigid self-interlocking means loosely associated with one another for detachably securing said base to said fastener, said fastener including connecting means operatively associated with an external source for detachably connecting said fastener to the external source, said fastener being provided with removal resisting means for resisting removal of said fastener from the external source, said self-interlocking means including a plurality of spaced limbs extending from said fastener and at least one opening in said base, at least one of said limbs terminating in an end portion for overlying a portion of said base to resist elevation of said base relative to said fastener at said base portion, at least another of said limbs terminating in a free-end portion for extending transversely of said base through said base opening to resist lateral shifting of said base and to permit elevation of said base relative to said fastener at said base opening, and spring-biasing means mounted on said base for resiliently engaging said free-end portion of said at least another of said limbs to resist elevation of said base at said base opening.
 2. The combination as claimed in claim 1, wherein said limbs are in generally tri-pod orientation relative to one another and said base includes three openings for accommodating the tri-pod orientation of limbs.
 3. The combination as claimed in claim 2, wherein at least one of said three openings is of elongate slotted extent for association with said overlying end portion of said at least one of said limbs.
 4. The combination as claimed in claim 1, wherein said connecting means includes a self-threading extent for threaded insertion into or removal from the external source.
 5. The combination as claimed in claim 4, wherein said removal resisting means includes a pivotally displaceable finger on one of said limbs for engaging the external source upon partial threaded insertion of the said self-threading extent into the external source.
 6. The combination as claimed in claim 1, wherein said free-end portion is provided with a notch for receiving said spring-biasing means.
 7. The combination as claimed in claim 1, wherein said base includes a soft cushion connected thereto for exposure relative to the external source.
 8. A combination comprising a base and fastener operatively associated with one another, said base and fastener respectively including mutually cooperable generally rigid self-interlocking means loosely associated with one another for detachably securing said base to said fastener, said fastener including connecting means operatively associated with an external source for detachably connecting said fastener to the external source, said fastener being provided with removal resisting means for resisting removal of said fastener from the external source, said self-interlocking means including a plurality of spaced limbs extending from said fastener and at least one opening in said base, at least one of said limbs terminating in an end portion for overlying a portion of said base to resist elevation of said base relative to said fastener at said base portion, at least another of said limbs terminating in a free-end portion for extending transversely of said base through said base opening to resist lateral shifting of said base, said removal resisting means including a pivotally displaceable finger disposed on one of said limbs for engaging the external source upon partial insertion of said connecting means into the exterNal source.
 9. The combination as claimed in claim 8, wherein said pivotally displaceable finger includes a gripping terminal portion inclined relative to a remainder of said finger for gouging the surface of a external source.
 10. The combination as claimed in claim 9, wherein said connecting means includes a self-threading extent for threaded insertion into or removal from the external source.
 11. The combination as claimed in claim 10, wherein said gripping terminal portion is partially twisted relative to the remainder of said finger in a direction such that upon turning and attempted removal of the self-threading extent from the external source said gripping terminal portion is urged more deeply into the external source.
 12. The combination as claimed in claim 11, wherein said finger is pivotally displaceable in a plane extending generally transversely of said base, and said gripping terminal portion is inclined in a direction away from said base.
 13. The combination as claimed in claim 8, wherein said base includes a soft cushion connected thereto for exposure relative to the external source.
 14. The combination as claimed in claim 8, wherein said limbs are in generally tri-pod orientation relative to one another and said base includes three openings for accommodating said tri-pod orientation of limbs.
 15. The combination as claimed in claim 8, including means mounted on said base for engaging said free-end portion of said at least another of said limbs to resist elevation of said base at said base opening. 